2013 Mercedes-Benz Gl550 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (2) · Power Train (2) · Engine (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes-Benz Gl550 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
Communication 2019-11-01 · campaign 19V787000 · 24,226 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
Suspension:front 2018-04-27 · campaign 18V272000 · 9,725 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML350 Bluetec 4Matic and ML550 4Matic, 2012-2015 ML63 AMG 4Matic and ML350 4Matic, 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and GL63 AMG 4Matic, 2017 GLS350d 4Matic, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic, 2015 ML400 4Matic, 2016 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, GLE450 4Matic Coupe and GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, 2015-2016 GL450 4Matic and 2013-2014 GL450 4Matic vehicles equipped with the
Risk: The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the oil level as necessary and replace the reservoir sealing cap to prevent oil foam from leaking out, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018070015.
Seat Belts 2013-04-29 · campaign 13V166000 · 256 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2013 GL350 BlueTEC, GL450 4MATIC, GL550 4MATIC, and GL63 AMG vehicles manufactured May 15, 2012 through October 4, 2012. The second row seat belt anchor fitting bolts may not be properly torqued.
Risk: If the bolts are not properly torqued, the seat belt anchor bolts may continue to loosen and in the the event of a crash, the belted occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners and dealers will check, and tighten the bolts of the seat belt anchor fittings, as necessary, free of charge. The recall campaign began on May 24, 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Service bulletins (83)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Steering 2026-08-28 · LI46.35-P-067339 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint during part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. or rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering (see attachment). complaint does not impact the ability to safely steer or control
Electrical System 2026-08-06 · LI82.85-P-079087 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint a popup is seen on the hu with the message "data connection temporarily not available". potentially affected functionalities in ntg4.5, ntg5 1.weather 2.local search 3.ip radio 4.send2car 5.speech detection service 6.navigation 7.iheartradio 8.traffic cams cause mb apps is sundowned for al
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Showing the 6 most recent of 83 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-07-20 · Power Train“while driving on the highway approximately 70 mph the car stalled. i slowly came to a stop, unable to restart the car. after getting towed to a nearby mercedes service shop, they diagnosed the issue as inaccurate fuel gauge and refueled the car. at the time the car stalled, the tank was approximately 1/8 full according to the gauge, but in fact the…”
2020-10-20 · Steering · 90,000 mi“we purchased the 2013 gl 550 five months ago. when we were driving home the vehicle shifted itself into park while in was in drive. the vehicle abruptly stopped and violently jerked the car and our family was inside in traffic approaching a four way stop light. when we attempted to put the car back into drive and pull off the car automatically shif…”
2020-04-11 · Power Train · 91,500 mi“2013 mercedes rough running at idle, various faults stored for injector quantity compensation for cylinder balancing. fault code p1cwf-85. the check engine light eventually came on. upon further inspection and diagnosis found that both engine bank 1 and 2 camshaft position sensors were full of oil due to failed internal packing of sensor. inspected…”
2018-09-27 · Steering · 62,686 mi“i was driving on the highway at 80 mph.then all of a sudden on the speedometer a message started to be displayed blind spot inactive ,then pre-safe functions limited active lane keep assist unavailable .all of a sudden the cruz control failed. them the turn signals failed . then i stopped the car waited for 10 mins restarted the car the same er…”
2018-02-08 · Engine · 50,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2013 mercedes-benz gl550. while driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly began to sputter, hesitate, and, on several occasions, the engine stalled. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer (mercedes-benz of orland park, 8430 w. 159th st, orland park, illinois) where it was diagnosed that the engine cylinder head was faul…”
2013-05-25 · Unknown Or Other · 2,550 mi“ i was driving freeway 5n (12/20/12) about 200 miles n of la with my distronic plus set for 79 mph when the distronic quit causing the car to suddenly decelerate and without any warning. a car that was following (too) closely had to brake to avoid hitting me. i received 3 error messages saying distronic plus inoperative, active lane keeping assist …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.